Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 51 The Sky Is About to Change
"Don't move! Your self-destruction is futile!!"

Liu Bei roared and walked from the back to the front row.

Zhang Sheng's men looked at Liu Bei, then at Duan Jiong, and finally lowered their swords.

"...Elder brother, this man is extremely wicked, but he also has a sense of brotherhood. Should I kill him?"

Qian Zhao remained silent for a while, then turned to ask Liu Bei.

Actually, he was asking Duan Jiong...

"My lord, Your Majesty"—Upon hearing these titles, Qian Zhao naturally knew that Jiong was of extraordinary status, but he did not ask.

“Zhang Sheng, you are doomed. But your brothers are loyal... If you wipe out all the Xianbei people around you, I will give your brothers a chance.”

Liu Bei did not answer, but instead gave Zhang Sheng a choice.

"Hundred Cavalry Commander! Slay the Hu!"

Without a second's hesitation, Zhang Sheng picked up the spear in front of him and thrust it at the Xianbei cavalryman beside him, giving the Xianbei people around him no time to react.

A hint of surprise appeared in Liu Bei's eyes.

Zhang Sheng and his soldiers showed no mercy when killing the Hu people.

With Qian Zhao and Zhang Fei leading their troops in coordination, dozens of Xianbei people were quickly slaughtered.

"The barbarian has been killed; please take my life now."

Zhang Sheng threw down his gun again, but instead of kneeling, he looked at his brothers behind him with tears in his eyes: "Don't do anything foolish again. I, Zhang, deserve to die, but you should live... If you don't live, who can save my parents, wife, and children..."

"Sima..."

Zhang Sheng's subordinates also wept bitterly.

Do you know where your family, wife, and children are now?

Liu Bei asked a question.

"I don't know... If I had known, I would have risked my life to save him long ago. How could I have lived like a dog?!"

Zhang Sheng spat out a mouthful of blood: "After my failed attempt to ambush Governor Zou, I knew my family was in danger, so I returned to Luoyang, intending to find Wang Fu and force him to reveal their whereabouts. But as soon as I arrived in Luoyang, I heard that Wang Fu's entire family had died..."

"Then why did you launch a night raid on Governor Zou's camp? Why didn't you stay in Luoyang and look for your family?"

Liu Bei also felt that this guy was indeed pitiful.

"General Dong said... if I can kill Commander Zou, he will release my parents, wife and children, and even appoint me as Protector of the Wuhuan."

Zhang Sheng glanced at Liu Bei with a sorrowful expression: "I know this might be a lie, but I... have no choice."

General Dong, whose real name is Dong Zhong, is the nephew of Empress Dowager Dong. He is currently the General of the Flying Cavalry, in charge of the Tiger Guard, and holds military power in Luoyang.

Liu Bei nodded and sighed: "So, your superior officer is Dong Zhong?"

"No, I was always acting on Wang Fu's orders... but now only Dong Zhong knows where Yu'er is! My parents, wife, and children were all taken away by the Tiger Guards!"

Zhang Sheng's eyes were filled with hatred: "I want to tear him to pieces, but... I can't kill him!"

"...Then you may go."

Duan Jiong threw the knife in his hand in front of Zhang Sheng: "My clanswoman in-law, I will go to save her. My clanswoman enemy... I will go to kill her!"

Zhang Sheng bowed three times to Duan Jiong, picked up the knife, and straightened his knees.

"My lord... Zhang Sheng, a sinner, as a Han official, has colluded with the Xianbei... Although I was forced into this situation, my crime is unforgivable! Sheng... confesses and accepts punishment!"

With that, he twisted the knife in his hand violently around her neck.

A large amount of blood was splattered on Duan Jiong's feet.

It also splashed onto Qian Zhao and Liu Bei.

Qian Zhao lowered his head, sighed, and then looked at Liu Bei with obvious confusion in his eyes.

"Zijing, immediately send Zhang Sheng's head to Governor Zou and tell him that this was a conspiracy between the imperial relatives and eunuchs to seize military power on the border. Let Governor Zou decide what to do... By the way, tell Governor Zou that you have killed a hundred Xianbei cavalrymen and avenged the murder of his troops and followers."

Liu Bei patted Qian Zhao on the back, then reached out and raised his head: "The world... is about to change."

A light rain was falling from the night sky.

The rainy season has arrived.

Qian Zhao glanced at Duan Jiong, then at Liu Bei, and asked, "How should I mention Mr. Ji to Commander Zou?" "No need to mention me."

Duan Jiong shook his head: "...From now on, no one will mention me. I, Ji Ming, am just an old soldier under Liu Lang."

Indeed, everyone now hopes that Duan Jiong's name will disappear completely, including Duan Jiong himself.

Qian Zhao remained silent, picked up the knife, and beheaded Zhang Sheng.

He then returned the knife to Duan Jiong, addressing him as "Mr. Ji."

He admitted that he was Duan Jiong's student... or rather, Ji Ming's student, and he had indeed learned a lot about military training methods.

Qianzijing is indeed incredibly meticulous; a single title conveys all the meaning.

Duan Jiong took his sword, patted Qian Zhao's shoulder, and whispered, "Xuande has given you a great service. Go to Wuzhong to report your merits."

Qian Zhao nodded, lifted Zhang Sheng's head, and asked Liu Bei, "Brother, do you have any further instructions?"

Liu Bei shook his head: "Go quickly and come back quickly. This is your future base, and you will need to come back to guard it."

Yes, the camp, which was originally built under the guise of helping Zou Jing fill vacancies, will inevitably become the true headquarters of the Protectorate of Wuhuan after Qian Zhao obtains Zhang Sheng's head.

Qian Zhao led a small squad of soldiers and rode away at full speed.

Liu Bei walked up to Zhang Sheng's remaining dozens of men.

“I said I would give you a chance, but from now on you can no longer appear in front of people as living people.”

“From now on, you will remain under Mr. Ji’s command as dead men… I think you all recognize him and trust him.”

“But… don’t call him Your Majesty anymore, he is Ji Ming, Mr. Ji.”

"Who's in charge here? Step forward and let me see."

A young officer glanced at Duan Jiong, then at Liu Bei, and stood up: "I am Zhang, the Commander of the Hundred Cavalry..."

"Forget your old name."

Liu Bei interrupted him: "From now on, you will be called Zhang Baiqi."

……

Everyone makes mistakes.

Everyone has their own strengths.

Zhang Sheng had indeed committed heinous crimes; he was not only guilty but also foolish, and his suicide was justified.

But Zhang Sheng did indeed have a strong sense of brotherhood, and his brothers were willing to live and die with him.

Duan Jiong had committed countless crimes, but he also made unparalleled contributions to the Han Dynasty.

The Hundred Cavalry Commandery was once a unit under Duan Jiong. After its formation, it fought in over a hundred battles, killing thousands of Western Qiang soldiers. It was a meritorious unit that had rendered service to the country.

If it weren't for strict discipline, unity of purpose, and deep camaraderie among comrades, this unit could not have achieved such merits.

But this cavalry unit also robbed and killed innocent civilians, attacked and murdered county officials, and committed countless crimes... equally heinous.

People are complex.

Liu Bei was the same.

Liu Bei knew he wasn't a good person, but he certainly wasn't a villain either.

But... what if someone kidnapped his parents, wife, and children and used them to blackmail him like they used Zhang Sheng?

Liu Bei's identity cannot be determined.

That night, it was drizzling, and everyone was in a bad mood.

Even Zhang Fei, who was usually carefree, remained quiet and didn't say a word.

He was also thinking about what exactly is good and evil, loyalty and treachery, right and wrong, and righteousness.

Zhang Fei thought about it all night, but still couldn't figure it out.

He kept recalling the image of Zhang Sheng's subordinates committing suicide.

(End of this chapter)